Agenda item

          The Chair welcomed, Mr Paul Dobson, Project Manager, STEP (Swindon Ten to Eighteen Project) and Miss Ellie James, the elected Member of the Youth Parliament to the meeting.  Mr Paul Dobson referred to the contents of the report on the performance and key issues relating to youth participation, the Thought Tank, and the progress made by Members of the Youth Parliament (MYP). He advised that a new participation officer had been recruited who would continue to facilitate work with schools and youth organisations. 

          Miss Ellie James referred to the campaigns undertaken nationally by Youth Parliament, particularly, mental health services wherea better understanding of common mental health issues at schools was needed together with raising awareness of how young people were able to access support.  Following the introduction of the report, the Committee were invited to watch “Mental Health Drama: Not Just A Diagnosis” and “Self-harm Drama – Remote Control – First light” on YouTube.  Miss James referred to the importance of promoting “Make your Mark” at schools and explained that ballot papers would be circulated to schools in the autumn.

          The representatives, Sue Wald, Head of Commissioning, Children and Adults, Peter Nathan, Head of Education, Cherry Jones, Director of Public Health and Claire Smith, Commissioner, Voluntary Sector, responded at the meeting to the following issues:

·       Progress made following meetings with the Police Crime Commissioner regarding the production and circulation of a survey within schools to gather student’s views on crime and education.

·       Progress made regarding the Curriculum for Life and how schools engaged in the campaign.

·       Where and how the YouTube films viewed at the meeting were being promoted.

·       Clarity on the responses within the Swindon Children and Young People Mental Health Questionnaire report highlighting that 35% of children and young people waited over a year before feeling able to seek help from professionals.

·       Confirmation that the Swindon Children and Young People Mental Health Questionnaire had been completed by children and young people living in Swindon.

·       Detailed background on how the YouTube films were created and produced.

·       Clarity on how the “Living Wage” subject was addressed in the “Make your Mark” survey conducted in 2014.

·       Ensuring completion of Diversity Impact Assessments in the report reflecting progress made. 

·       An update regarding proposed wider engagement with schools.

·       Clarity on future work to be undertaken resulting from the Swindon Children and Young People’s Mental Health Questionnaire.

·       Demographics of Youth Parliament and Youth Forum members.

·       Confirmation that results of the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) survey were to be submitted at the Committee’s meeting on 13^th April 2016.

          Resolved – (1) That the updates on progress of the Youth Forum, Thought Tank and the Youth Parliament, be noted.

          (2) That the Committee endorses and expresses its support for the work undertaken by the Youth Forum, Thought Tank and the Members of Youth Parliament.

          (3) That, further to (2) above, the wider youth participation agenda across Swindon, be supported.

          (4) That the Contracts and Participation Manager be requested to circulate to the members of this Committee information regarding “Make your Mark”.

          (5) That the Contracts and Participation Manager be requested to submit a progress report on work of the Members of Youth Parliament, Youth Forum and Thought Tank to the Committee’s meeting on 13^th April 2016.

          (6) That the Project Manager, (STEP) be requested to circulate copies of “Mental Health Drama: Not Just A Diagnosis” and “Self-harm Drama – Remote Control – First light” to those Committee members who were school governors.